The United States extended the declaration of a national emergency regarding Myanmar for another year. It was issued on 7 February by order of US President Joe Biden, citing an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. 1
On 12 February, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara in Washington, D.C. and mainly discussed the Myanmar crisis.
The US Secretary of State and his Thai counterpart called on the Myanmar junta to hold talks with all stakeholders, release all those arrested arbitrarily to stop hostilities and return to the path of democratic civilian rule.
In addition, they discussed the urgent need to extend humanitarian assistance to the displaced Myanmar population, including the efforts made by Thailand and ASEAN countries to resolve the worsening Myanmar crisis. 2
While receiving the Myanmar expats in Japan at the Japanese Foreign Ministry Office in Tokyo on 5 February, Japan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Komura Masahiro said that he will continue to work for the improvement of the situations by listening carefully to the voices of the people of Myanmar for the development of a democratic political system and peace in Myanmar and holding talks with stakeholders. 3
On the third anniversary of the military coup, Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres underscored the urgency of forging a path towards a democratic transition with a return to civilian rule. 4
On 5 February, the Security Council convened a private meeting to discuss the situation in Myanmar. Nine members of the Security Council issued a joint statement strongly condemning the ongoing violence harming civilians in Myanmar. Nine council members are United States, United Kingdom, France, Japan, South Korea, Ecuador, Malta, Slovenia and Switzerland. 5
1 United States extended the declaration of a national emergency regarding Myanmar
for another year.
2 US Secretary of State and his Thai counterpart call on Myanmar junta to return to
path of democratic civilian rule.
3 Japan’s Deputy Foreign Minister promises to continue listening to the public for
democracy and peace in Myanmar
4 UN Secretary-General calls for return to civilian rule in Myanmar.
5 Myanmar issue discussed at the UN Security Council; nine countries call for an end to
attacks on civilians.